Larynx and airway: nerve monitoring in thyroidectomy: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Larynx and airway: nerve monitoring in thyroidectomy

Sample item

During thyroid surgery, which technique helps to identify and confirm the integrity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intraoperative nerve monitoring with an endotracheal tube electrode

A surface electrode on the endotracheal tube records the evoked EMG signal of the vocalis when the nerve is stimulated, confirming its identity and function. Loss of signal warns of injury. It supplements and does not replace visual identification.

Option by option

  • A. Intraoperative nerve monitoring with an endotracheal tube electrode (correct)

    Correct. It records a signal from the nerve stimulation.

  • B. Postoperative chest radiograph

    A chest radiograph does not test nerve function.

  • C. Postoperative audiometry

    Audiometry tests hearing.

  • D. Preoperative barium swallow

    A barium swallow evaluates the pharynx and oesophagus.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Intraoperative nerve monitoring with an endotracheal tube electrode. A surface electrode on the endotracheal tube records the evoked EMG signal of the vocalis when the nerve is stimulated, confirming its identity and function.

Why is "Postoperative chest radiograph" not the answer?

A chest radiograph does not test nerve function.

Why is "Postoperative audiometry" not the answer?

Audiometry tests hearing.

Why is "Preoperative barium swallow" not the answer?

A barium swallow evaluates the pharynx and oesophagus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: nerve monitoring in thyroidectomy in ENT. Loss of signal warns of injury. It supplements and does not replace visual identification.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Larynx and airway: nerve monitoring in thyroidectomy?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.